(C) UNGA RELATED QUESTIONS

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINGSTON 001851 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CAR (RANDALL BUDDEN) STATE ALSO FOR INR/B E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/19/2016 TAGS: PINR UN JM SUBJECT: (C) UNGA RELATED QUESTIONS REF: A. SECSTATE 127917 ¶B. KINGSTON 758 ¶C. KINGSTON 1097 ¶D. KINGSTON 1117 Classified By: Charge d'affaires, a.i. James T. Heg for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Post provides answers to reftel A questions below: (C) Q. 2.A. General professional and personal background information on Permanent Rep to the UN Wolfe, including previous positions (include dates),foreign travel, relevant job experience, education, marital status, and English capability. (C) Answer: Raymond Osbourne Wolfe succeeded Ambassador Stanfford Neil as Jamaica's Permanent Representative to the UN in May 2006. Wolfe is a career diplomat and has held the following positions with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade (MFAFT): Undersecretary for Multilateral Affairs (February 2003-May 2006); Jamaican High Commissioner to Canada (July 1998-February 2003); Acting Principal Director, European Affairs Department, Foreign Trade Department, Multilateral Organizations Department (December 1997-June 1998); Director, European Affairs Department (June 1995-December 1997); Director, Africa, Asia & Pacific Department (February 1995-June 1995); Minister Counselor, Jamaican Embassy in Japan (April 1992-November 1994); Deputy High Commissioner, Jamaican High Commission in Nigeria (July 1990-March 1992); Minister/Counselor with responsibility for the General Assembly (Plenary 4th Committee issues) and Non-Aligned Coordinating Bureau at Jamaica's Mission to the UN (August 1984-July 1990); POLITICAL Division, UN and Non-Aligned Movement Desk Officer (May 1981-July 1984); First Secretary, POLITICAL and Protocol Affairs, Jamaican Embassy SIPDIS in USSR (December 1977-May 1981); 2nd Secretary and subsequently Charge d'affairs, Jamaican Embassy in the Dominican Republic (November 1975-October 1977); Fellow, Foreign Service Officers' Training Course, Canberra, Australia (June 1975-September 1975); Administrative Officer (May 1974- June 1975); and, joined the MFAFT as a cadet (July 1973-May 1974). (U) Wolfe was born May 4, 1951. In 1973, he graduated from the University of the West Indies with a degree in international relations. He is married with two children. (C) Q. 2.B. Nature of Permanent Rep to the UN's working relationship with his foreign ministry (and foreign ministers),whether Wolfe adheres to Jamaica's official positions, Wolfe's attitude toward UN issues, and how Wolfe interacts with US officials in the course of official duties: (C) Answer: Is would seem that since Wolfe has been with the MFAFT for over 30 years, he would be intimately familiar with the inner workings of the MFAFT and likely knows many of the people within the ministry very well. Minister Hylton was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade in March 2006, thus Wolfe and Hylton have not worked together very long. Consequently, post has no information regarding Wolfe's relationship with Hylton or how much leeway Wolfe may be given at the UN. However, post would not expect Wolfe to stray from the GOJ position, whatever that is. (C) Wolfe can be stiff and formal in his interaction with Americans and is very much an old school Jamaican diplomat in his reflexive suspicion of many USG actions and motives. He is often fond of citing Jamaica's "principled opposition" to various USG initiatives, requests or actions. Wolfe has a tendency to play up Jamaica's nonaligned/ independent credentials and has strongly opposed signing an Article 98 agreement. (C) Q. 3. Foreign Minister Hylton: Any additional information and insight that would hone the analysts' understanding of him in preparation for his likely interaction with US counterparts in NY. (C) Answer: For a brief bio on Hylton, see ref B. (C) Q. 3.A. How well-versed is Hylton on UN issues? How much latitude does he allow permrep Wolfe to take on votes or in defining position? To what extent is Hylton able to influence Jamaica's stance on UN matters? (C) Answer: Hylton seems comfortable with multilateral affairs. He is able to carry on an intelligent dialogue on various international issues. (C) Q. 3.B. What is Hylton's relationship to Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller? Is Hylton able to formulate the direction of foreign policy, or merely implement the directions of PM Simpson Miller? (C) Answer: Hylton is very close to the Prime Minister and was a very strong supporter during her campaign for Prime Minister. Hylton certainly has the Prime Minister's ear and is very likely able to sway or even help formulate her opinion. For example, Ambassador Johnson met with the Prime Minister on May 30 to discuss Guatemala's bid for the UNSC seat (ref C). Following that meeting, the Prime Minister stated that she was unable to answer the question of whether Jamaica would support Guatemala, but she would consult Minister Hylton upon his return from the NAM Ministerial. At that meeting the Ambassador was left with the impression that the Prime Minister is unfamiliar with key issues. (C) On June 5, the Ambassador called upon Minister Hylton to follow up on Guatemala's candidacy for the UNSC seat and to express disappointment with the NAM Statement on Iran (ref D). In contrast to the Prime Minister, Hylton seemed to have a strong grasp of the issues and was willing to engage in conversation on the issue. However, Hylton continues to maintain the party line regarding the importance of Jamaica's sovereignty and its "principled positions." (C) Q. 4. Heads of State: Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller. 4.A. How engaged has Simpson Miller been on foreign policy and on UN issues? (U) Answer: (See answer to Q.3.B. above). (C) Q. 4.B. What is the personal dynamic between PSM and Hylton? (U) Answer: (See answer to Q.3.B above). HEG